[27] The Alps, Part Two: A Perilous Journey

Chen John and his group had barely traveled a few miles from the Hunters’ Village when they were already spotted by scouts from the wolf clan of the beastmen, who kept them under surveillance all along the way. Chen John was certainly no pushover. He immediately became alert to the possibility that they were being followed and monitored by wolf beastmen when he caught the faint glimmer reflected from their wolf fangs, as well as stray wolf hairs lying beside footprints in the muddy ground. Chen John had read about these wolf beastmen in historical records. Their upper bodies were wolf-like while their lower bodies were human. They were tall, extremely fierce, and ferocious. Encountering them on this mission, however, was something he had not anticipated. Chen John immediately used secret telepathic communication to inform Lin Xiaoyang. Of course, Huang Minhua, who was spiritually connected with Xiaoyang, received the message at the same time. Xiaoyang recalled the continuous howling of wolves the previous night. It was very likely that the wolves, with their keen sense of smell, had already detected the scent of strangers and had passed warnings from one family to another, putting them on alert against this group of outsiders whose intentions were unknown.

The group slowed their pace. Chen John waved his arms and sang songs, secretly embedding several warnings into the lyrics. He wanted everyone to maintain a cheerful mood, as though they were elementary school students on a field trip. His companions cooperated enthusiastically, and before long, the entire group was walking along happily, singing as they went. The scene left the wolf scouts monitoring them completely baffled. However, the metallic glint from the sword hilts of the knives and swords in Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua’s backpacks still aroused the wolves’ suspicion.

The singing of the group gradually weakened as everyone’s throats became hoarse, but their pace did not slow. Around noon, they stopped beneath the shade of a large tree to eat. Everyone gathered together, taking turns keeping watch while eating, because they had noticed that the number of eyes watching them seemed to be increasing.

Chen Yuehan reminded his companions, “We have to reach the next village and find a place to stay before dark. I’m worried that once night falls, the wolves may launch a large-scale attack.”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Then we shouldn’t waste any more time. Let’s get moving.”

After hurriedly finishing lunch, the group did not dare linger any longer and set out again. Huang Minhua endured the soreness and numbness in her legs, allowing Xiaoyang to support her as they walked. She knew that she could not allow her own condition to put her companions in danger.

As evening approached, they arrived at a small marketplace, but the scene before them surprised them. Most of the people who had come to the market were beastmen from nearby areas, including wolves and bears. They had brought deer hides, deer antlers, venison, and mutton to trade with a small number of human merchants, using gold and silver as currency. The market was nearing the end of its trading day. The beastmen were leaving one after another, while the merchants were gradually taking inventory and packing their goods.

Chen John approached a middle-aged, burly man and asked, “Brother, may I ask if there is an inn around here where we can spend the night?”

The man said, “Walk ahead to the end of the market and turn the corner. There’s a place called Mama Bear’s Inn. They provide lodging, meals, and hot water.”

The group immediately followed Chen John to the inn. As soon as they stepped inside, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At Mama Bear’s Inn, the proprietress was a member of the bear clan. She was powerfully built and carried an imposing presence, but she greeted her guests with a warm and friendly manner.

The group gathered around the dining table and enjoyed a hot meal, chatting and laughing. Their spirits seemed quite good.

Chen John briefly explained the purpose of their journey to the proprietress and asked about the route to the “Netherworld Valley.”

Mama Bear’s expression became serious. “Even we beastmen have never dared approach that valley. If you insist on going there, you’ll first have to pass through Hell Valley and then cross the terrifying Monster Forest.”

Chen John immediately pulled the map from inside his clothes. The map indeed marked Hell Valley and Monster Forest.

Chen John asked, “Is there another route that can bypass Hell Valley and Monster Forest?”

Mama Bear shook her head. “No!”

Lin Xiaoyang asked curiously, “What is Hell Valley like?”

“I’ve never been there myself,” Mama Bear said, “but according to what my elders told me, it is volcanic terrain. Along the mountainside, there are vents that continuously spew lava, releasing sulfur gases and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide accumulates at the bottom of the valley. When people or animals pass through the valley floor, they can suffocate and die from lack of oxygen. Moreover, the springs at the bottom of the valley contain highly poisonous substances and cannot be used as drinking water.”

Lin Xiaoyang asked again, “Then what is Monster Village like?”

“It’s not only home to all kinds of man-eating monsters,” Mama Bear said. “There are also giant pythons, giant centipedes, giant spiders, and giant scorpions appearing there at any time. Your group is such an obvious target that it will be difficult to avoid attracting the monsters’ attention.”

After hearing this, the companions looked at one another, and their cheerful mood instantly became heavy.

Chen John said, “On our way here, we felt as though we were being followed by the wolves the entire time, but they never showed themselves or tried to stop us.”

“You must have come in from the western mountain trail, passing through the Hunters’ Village,” Mama Bear said. “The foothills in this area are the traditional hunting grounds of the wolf clan. They have been monitoring you all the way because they want to determine whether you are hostile and whether you pose a threat to them.”

“I see,” Chen John said.

“The wolf clan rarely attacks humans of its own accord. They keep their distance from humans. We bears are different. We are closer to humans and have frequent business dealings with them. Netherworld Valley is not a place you should go. No one has ever known what is inside because, according to what people say, no one can actually get in. I advise you to turn back and take the mountain trail down to the south. The southern region is controlled by our bear clan, and our people can guarantee your safety.”

Chen John cupped his hands respectfully and said, “Thank you, Mama Bear, for providing us with this information. We have a mission to fulfill, and we must enter Netherworld Valley.”

Mama Bear looked around at the group and sighed. “Alas! You’re all still young. There’s no need to go to a place like that!”

After resting for one night, Chen John and his companions prepared food and drinking water the next morning and left Mama Bear’s Inn. On the way to Hell Valley, they continued to be followed and monitored by the wolf clan. Lin Xiaoyang, walking among the group, kept looking left and right at the mountain scenery along the way, gradually developing a strange sense of familiarity. Huang Minhua assumed that it was the secluded and tranquil mountain scenery that had attracted him.

When Chen John and his companions finally reached the entrance to Hell Valley, a group of twenty or thirty wolves blocked their path. Their leader was an old male wolf named Lang En, with gray-and-white fur.

“Which one of you is the leader?”

Chen John stepped forward from the front of the group, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, “I am.”

“Judging from the looks of things, your destination should be Netherworld Valley, right?”

“Yes, Chief.”

“My name is Lang En, the supreme leader of the wolf clan.” Lang En’s eyes fixed directly on Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua.

“A pleasure to meet you, Chief Lang En.”

Lang En said, “We have been observing you for several days along the way. We have taken the liberty of assuming that you may be the people we have been waiting for all this time.”

Chen John asked in confusion, “Oh? You’ve been waiting for us?”

“Yes.” As Lang En spoke, he walked over to Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua. “You’re David, aren’t you?”

Lin Xiaoyang was flattered and asked in surprise, “Chief, you recognize David?”

Lang En reached out with both hands and grasped Lin Xiaoyang’s hands. “I have been waiting here for you for more than three hundred years. I have always believed that you would come back.”

At that moment, Xiaoyang suddenly remembered a scene that had appeared in his dreams. “You—you’re Aki Lang En? My wolf brother.”

Lang En’s shoulders began to tremble, and tears shimmered in his eyes. Lin Xiaoyang took the initiative and embraced him.

Not only were Chen John and Stryker completely bewildered by what they were seeing, but even Huang Minhua was confused by the situation before her.

“Aki, Wolf Dad and Wolf Mom, they...” Tears also glistened in Xiaoyang’s eyes.

Lang En wiped away his tears and said, “Wolf Dad passed away more than two hundred years ago. Wolf Mom kept waiting for you to come back, but after another hundred years, she passed away too.”

Xiaoyang asked, “Aki, how did you recognize me?”

Lang En broke into a tearful smile. “That one-of-a-kind musk scent on your body.”

Xiaoyang sniffed his own armpit and asked, “But after I was reincarnated in the East, I couldn’t smell that scent on myself anymore.”

“You can’t smell it yourself, but my nose can,” Lang En said. “Last month, a man named Rufu passed through here, and I stopped him. He told me that you had been reincarnated as an Eastern man and that you would come back.”

As Chen John and the others listened to the two men talking as though no one else were there, they gradually began to understand their relationship.

Xiaoyang said, “Yes. This time, I’m carrying out an important mission. I never expected to reunite with you here. No wonder I’ve had such a strange sense of familiarity throughout this journey.”

Lang En said, “Rufu said he was your friend and that he was going to Netherworld Valley, so I sent some people to escort him through Hell Valley.”

“I see,” Xiaoyang said.

Lang En asked, “Brother, what mission are you carrying out in Netherworld Valley?”

Xiaoyang said, “I’m going there to meet Tanya, the daughter of the Ghost King Andre.”

Lang En looked puzzled. “Tanya? I’ve never heard of anyone by that name. Are you sure she’s in Netherworld Valley?”

Chen John said, “Rufu wrote in his letter that Tanya should be living in seclusion in Netherworld Valley.”

Lang En asked, “Who is this?”

Xiaoyang said, “He is my senior fellow disciple, Father Chen John, from the Roman Curia.”

Lang En took the initiative to shake Chen John’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Senior Brother.”

Lang En said, “Since you’ve decided to go to Netherworld Valley, I’ll take a group of young men with me and go with you.”

Xiaoyang said, “But isn’t Monster Forest extremely dangerous?”

“Even if it were the lair of dragons and tigers, I would still accompany you,” Lang En said, “because you are my brother, David.”

Chen John smiled and said, “Chief Lang En, your brotherly bond truly moves me.”

Lang En asked, “The beautiful woman beside you is your wife, right?”

“Yes,” Xiaoyang said.

Lang En smiled. “You have excellent taste, brother.”

Huang Minhua was delighted by Lang En’s compliment.

Lang En cupped his hands respectfully and said, “Sister-in-law, I may look frightening, but I’m very easy to get along with.”

The wolf clan’s leader, Aki Lang En, led a group of strong young warriors and guided Chen John and his companions into Hell Valley. They avoided the deadly path along the valley floor and instead took a treacherous trail winding around the mountainside. On one side of the trail was a sheer cliff, while on the other was a broad, steep slope running in the same direction as the mountain. They carefully avoided the vents that intermittently erupted with lava and sulfur. From time to time, enormous eagles circled overhead. Several of them repeatedly dove down, attempting to ambush the group, but Lang En’s men drove them back with their bows and arrows.

Everyone saw the bodies of foxes, wild boars, and various birds scattered across the bottom of the valley. They also noticed that, apart from being dehydrated and mummified, the bodies showed no obvious signs of decomposition or having been gnawed on by other animals.

Huang Minhua asked in confusion, “Brother Lang En, the bodies of these animals and birds at the bottom of the valley seem to be almost completely intact. What’s the reason for that?”

Lang En explained, “The bottom of this valley is filled with poisonous gases. Even the swift-flying eagles don’t dare descend to retrieve the carcasses of those birds and animals. In addition, bacteria cannot survive at the bottom of the valley, so their bodies remain intact.”

“I see,” Huang Minhua said. “No wonder this place is called Hell Valley.”

At that moment, the two young wolf warriors walking at the very front of the group signaled with their hands for everyone to stop. Lang En realized that something was happening ahead and immediately hurried to the front of the group.

“Chief, there are two Lizardman sentries watching us around the bend in the mountain trail.” The young man named Xia Bo pointed toward the bend. “Right there in the shadows at the corner. Two pairs of eyes.”

Lang En frowned. “Judging from the situation, we’ve already alerted this group of Lizardmen. Once we leave Hell Valley and enter their territory, we’ll have to be extremely vigilant.”

Xia Bo asked worriedly, “Chief, what if they refuse to let us pass through their territory?”

“This time, we’re bringing humans through their territory, which indeed breaks the long-standing understanding between the two sides,” Lang En said. “Once we enter Limestone Forest Mountain and they block our way, we’ll negotiate with them if terms can be discussed. If we can’t reach an agreement, we’ll have no choice but to force our way through.”

Xia Bo said, “What if they come out in full force? We might...”

Lang En said angrily, “Might what? Even if we all die fighting at Limestone Forest Mountain, we must escort my brother safely through.”

Xia Bo said helplessly, “Since you have made up your mind, Chief, none of us will cling to life or fear death!”

Lang En said, “Xia Bo, tell our brothers to raise their guard and make absolutely sure that my brother and his companions remain safe.”

“Yes, Chief!” Xia Bo immediately turned toward the group and used a deep, low wolf howl to alert his fellow warriors.

The Lizardmen scouts continued taking turns monitoring the group, but they did not take any action along the treacherous mountain trail.